Transplant

May 28, 2025

Ed Zavala, longtime administrator of the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, to retire

Zavala was the first to receive the Leader in Transplant Administration Award from the OPTN/UNOS Transplant Administrators Committee for his significant contributions to and positive impact on the field. 

By Bill Snyder
Patient Van Sung with her parents, Nathan and Rem Kumthar. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 28, 2025

Medical team uses nontraditional therapy to help give young patient a chance at making it to heart transplant

The team used an Impella, a catheter-based miniature ventricular assist device. It offered the best chance of getting rising eighth-grader Van Sung to transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
Siblings Shayli and Shafer Daves at home following the transplant. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 22, 2025

Sister’s kidney donation to her brother is a dream come true

The siblings, both recovering from surgery, admitted they were best friends, a bond that has grown even deeper since the transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
Jimmy Sullivan talks about his family’s decision to donate the organs of his son, Asher, 10, following his death. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 6, 2025

Donate Life Ceremony celebrates organ donors and their families

In addition to honoring organ donors and their families, the ceremony salutes hospital staff who care for donors and transplant recipients.

By Matt Batcheldor
Team members visiting Vanderbilt from the Philippine Heart Center included (front row, from left) Melissa Morala-Caranto, MD, Apreel Marie Noble, MD, Avenilo L. Aventura Jr., MD, Emily Aventura, MD, Carina Dipasupil, MD, Liberty Yaneza, MD, Christopher Cheng, MD, (back row, from left) Christopher Ian Joseph De Guzman, RN, Ryan Andal, MD, Dennis de Asis, MD, Karl Derrick Sia, MD, Liza Santiago, RN, Earvin Jon Abaño, RN, and Edgar Tuazon, MD. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 1, 2025

Team from the Philippines visits to observe heart and lung transplant programs

The delegation is planning to establish a new heart transplant program in the Philippines, serving a population of 115 million people.

By Matt Batcheldor
A year after her lung transplant, Amanda Atkins is back to enjoying hiking, walking her dog and being with family and friends. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
April 8, 2025

Patient’s journey a beacon of hope to those facing a life-changing transplant

Amanda Atkins is sharing her story to give hope to those facing a life-changing transplant and to give thanks to her organ donor who made it all possible.

By Matt Batcheldor
April 3, 2025

Tennessee’s first successful kidney transplant using new organ preservation technology performed at Vanderbilt University Hospital

The advanced preservation technology for kidney transplantation is designed to expand the donor pool.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 11, 2025

Thinking outside the (voice) box: VUMC surgeons have all the pieces in place for the complex puzzle of laryngeal transplantation 

Only a few laryngeal transplants have been successfully performed in the United States. Now, surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are ready for their first patient.
By Evan Dorian
February 27, 2025

VUMC part of new study validating curative therapy for sickle cell disease

Of 38 adults with severe SCD who participated in the study, more than 97% no longer required immunosuppressive therapy one year after the transplant.
By Bill Snyder
February 25, 2025

Gatlin Winter was in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant. His wife Ashlynn was in labor with their first baby. Could he get to her side?

With the help of the team from Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, yes he could.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 11, 2025

Vanderbilt Lung Transplant establishes new record

For the second calendar year in a row, Vanderbilt Lung Transplant has the busiest program in the Southeast and leads the nation in innovation in organ preservation and regeneration.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 11, 2025

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reaches new heights in 2024, now the nation’s third busiest 

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the nation’s third busiest transplant center by volume, saving 136 more critically ill patients in calendar year 2024 than in 2023.
By Matt Batcheldor